Kovan (singer)

2021-04-01T20:15:39Z

2402:3A80:1957:6EED:7973:7483:77FA:BC2C: /* Arrests over songs */ typo

{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kovan
| image = kovan.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| nationality = Indian
| education = Industrial Training Institute, [[Nagapattinam]]
| occupation = folk singer
}}
'''S.Sivadas''' better known as '''Kovan''' is a folk singer from the activist cultural and arts group Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam (People's Art and Literary Association).<ref name="kovan arrest over song"/> He is known for composing songs and music about concerns and issues of marginalized people.<ref name="kovan arrest over song"/> His arrest was criticised by human rights groups including [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/11/03/india-folk-singer-jailed-sedition | title=India: Folk Singer Jailed for Sedition | publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] | date=3 November 2015 | accessdate=13 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://amnesty.org.in/news-update/dalit-folk-singer-arrested-sedition-must-released/ | title=Dalit Folk Singer Arrested For ‘Sedition’ Must Be Released | publisher=[[Amnesty International]] | date=31 October 2015 | accessdate=13 April 2018}}</ref>

== Arrests over songs ==
In the wake of widespread prohibition movement in Tamil Nadu, Kovan wrote, composed and performed songs criticizing government-run alcohol shops and the governments in power. Those songs came to the attention of officials sympathetic to the [[AIADMK]] led state government. In late October, Kovan was arrested by TN Cyber Crime Police "under Sections 124-A (Sedition), 153 (Provoking riots), 505 (1) (b and c) (intent to cause fear and alarm to public against state and incitement). His crime – to have written, performed and released on the internet, songs criticising the state government of Tamil Nadu and its Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on the burning issue of Prohibition".<ref name="kovan arrest over song"/> His arrest prompted wide condemnation from human rights organizations,<ref name="human rights groups condemn"/> activist groups, political parties and student bodies with notable exceptions of AIADMK and TN [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The songs went viral through social media and chat apps.<ref name="kovan songs go viral"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/03/indian-folk-singer-sedition-charges-s-kovan | title=Indian folk singer held on sedition charges | publisher=[[The Guardian]] | date=3 November 2015 | accessdate=13 April 2018}}</ref>

The state government considers these songs derogatory, [[sedition]] and it is attempting to remove these songs from YouTube. It is also trying to shut down the vinavu.com website supportive of the artist works.<ref name="vinavu under attack"/> [[Amnesty International]] India re iterated its call to repeal the archaic sedition law. It stated that sedition laws is often used to curb the freedom of expression. Sedition law was first created and used by the colonial British government against the [[Indian independence movement]]. Kovan was released on bail on 16 November 2015.He was again arrested for a song against the Ram Rath Yatra and Narendra Modi.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/left-propagandist-singer-kovan-arrested-for-song-against-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/63752731.cms | title=Leftist singer Kovan arrested for song against PM Narendra Modi | publisher=[[The Economic Times]] | date=13 April 2018 | accessdate=13 April 2018}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="kovan arrest over song">{{Cite web | title = Hail Amma! Tamil folk singer Kovan arrested for criticising Jayalalithaa's 'liquor-on-tap' policy | publisher = [[Firstpost]] | year = 2015 |accessdate = 1 November 2015 | url =http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hail-amma-tamil-folk-singer-kovan-arrested-for-criticising-jayalalithaas-liquor-on-tap-policy-in-government-bars-2490072.html}}</ref>
<ref name="kovan songs go viral">{{Cite web | title = Kovan's songs go viral on social media |work = [[The Hindu]]| year = 2015 |accessdate = 1 November 2015 | url =http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/kovans-songs-go-viral-on-social-media/article7825268.ece}}</ref>
<ref name="vinavu under attack">{{Cite web | title = வினவு தளம் மீது அடக்குமுறை | publisher = vinavu.com | year = 2015 |accessdate = 1 November 2015 | url =http://www.vinavu.com/2015/11/01/kovan-arrest-prelude-to-attack-on-vinavu/}}</ref>
<ref name="human rights groups condemn">{{Cite web | title = Tamil Nadu singer arrest: Human rights groups demand Kovan’s release, call for scrapping sedition law |work = The Indian Express | year = 2015 |accessdate = 1 November 2015 | url =http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/tamil-nadu-singer-arrest-human-rights-groups-demand-kovans-release-call-for-scrapping-sedition-law/}}</ref>
}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Tamil folk singers]]
[[Category:Internet censorship in India]]
[[Category:Censorship in TamilNadu]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Kovan (singer)